Winter in Montréal 101: Home and Travel

If you are relocating to Montréal from a country with a warm or temperate climate, there are elements of home life and travelling that are very important to consider when living in the Great White North during the cold winter months, which you may not have thought about. Your home and car are two things that must be prepared for the Montréal winter, so you can be assured that you will be safe and prepared to battle the cold!

Travel:

Car travel in winter in Montréal, even if it’s just around the corner is something that needs to be thought about.

You need to put winter tires on your car – in Quebec by law this must be done by December 15th, and they must be kept on until March 15th.

In your car you should have a snow/ice brush and shovel in case it snows while you are indoors so you can clear the snow off your car for safe driving.

There should be an emergency kit in your car, containing kitty litter or gravel to help create friction against ice if you get stuck, flares, spare anti-freeze washer fluid, gloves and a hat.

You should always take a jacket when you travel anywhere in winter in case you car breaks down or you are involved in an accident and need to get out, or wait for a period of time.

Home:

Your home needs consideration in winter in Montréal as much as travel, or your wardrobe. See our blog on what to wear in winter here.

Any outdoor furniture should be wrapped in a tarp or stored inside to prevent it from being damaged by snow, ice, and the cold.

You should always have salt, or to prevent corrosion and your cement pitting, another non-corrosive substance to melt the ice on your driveway or foot paths. A shovel is also imperative as many cities (and Canada Post) expect you to clear your own paths and make them safe to walk on. If you’re new to snow clearing, see our blog on the subject here.

Keeping fire wood and kindling, candles and flashlights, blankets and snack food in case of power outages or storms is always a good idea.

The biggest rule of winter in Montréal is to always be prepared. You can never be too safe, and if something were to happen at home or during travel, it is always better to be ready for what winter may bring, than to be left in the cold – quite literally!